Surely this can’t be true? The state of being single is what we’re all born into, and remains the default situation for those not lucky enough to have a ‘real’ vocation – to the married, consecrated or priestly life. Could it really be a choice?

Being single offers elements of other vocational states, during which we can discern our preferred response to God. We experience close loving relationships – should we consider marriage? We may live lives of chastity and service, being drawn to the sacraments – are we called to a priestly life? Or possibly we use being single as a time of prayer, of deepening our relationship with God – perhaps we might be called to express our vocation in religious life?

But for many people, the answer is "none of the above". We are not asked to express our love for God in any other way than we are now. At this point, being single becomes a matter of choice.

Being single allows us maximum freedom to be flexible with our time and talents: we need only to consider whether we can and will respond to a situation.

Using Jesus as our model, it allows us to be very firmly in the world. We respond to everyday situations in our daily life, and if we can do this through love, then we bring God into the world in a very practical way.

Some single people find strength and support as well as discernment in lay Christian communities or groups. See the new communities.

For information regarding men's groups and men's weekends please contact Harvesters.
Website: www.harvesters.org.uk

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